sumatrana 115 cm F: Ardeidae
Description: Huge size and grey plumage are diagnostic, immature bird is more brownish and lacks the breeding adult's narrow, whitish plumes.
Voice: Sometimes a harsh croak.
Habits: A quiet and shy bird, usually seen standing alone and motionless along muddy seashores or offshore islets, on the lookout for fish and crustaceans. During high tide it rests among mangrove trees. Occasionally follows rivers inland. Flies off low across the water. Not numerous at any location.
GREY HERON
Ardea cinerea 95 cm F: Ardeidae
Description: White neck and head with grey upper parts are diagnostic.
Voice: Deep, guttural honks while in flight or at breeding site.
Habits: Occurs along coastal mudflats but also in freshwater swamps and along inland rivers. Feeds mainly on fish and other aquatic prey, but also on reptiles and rodents. Flies slowly, high above habitat. Breeds in dense colonies located in low, inaccessible trees near water.
PURPLE HERON
Ardea purpurea 90 cm F: Ardeidae
Description: Look for diagnostic purple head and neck. Note how head is pulled back during flight.
Voice: A harsh croak, mainly uttered within breeding colony and when taking off.
Habits: An aquatic bird, usually seen near overgrown freshwater rivers and reservoirs, less often at the coast. Feeds on fish, which it stalks patiently at the water's edge. Forms dense colonies during the breeding season, often mixing with other herons.
LITTLE HERON (Striated Heron)
Butorides striatus 45 cm F: Ardeidae
Description: A small heron with crouching stance. Immature bird is brown with pale streaks. A unique, monotypic genus.
Voice: A loud kweak...kee-kee-kee-kee when taking off.
Habits: As a resident, most commonly found near the coast, where it nests in low mangrove trees, but occurs in all kinds of wetlands, including freshwater marshes and canals. Sometimes walks conspicuously out in the open along the water's edge.
CHINESE POND-HERON
Ardeola bacchus 45 cm F: Adeidae
Description: Photo shows non-breeding plumage. During breeding, the head and breast are dark chestnut, the back is black and wings flash white in flight.
Voice: Normally silent. Low croaks during breeding.
Habits: An attractive small heron usually found at overgrown ponds, marshes and paddy fields where it walks along slowly, looking for aquatic prey. Less common in mangroves. Breeds in colonies with other herons.
JAVAN POND-HERON
Ardeola speciosa 45 cm F: Ardeidae
Description: Note the diagnostic pale chestnut breast and whitish head of breeding plumage; white wings flash brightly during flight. In non-breeding plumage is not easily distinguished from the Chinese Pond-heron.
Voice: Similar to previous species.
Habits: Moves about freshwater wetlands, flooded fields and sometimes among coastal mangroves, singly or in loose groups. A rather shy bird that walks slowly or stands waiting quietly for aquatic prey to appear.
CATTLE EGRET
Bubulcus ibis 50 cm F: Ardeidae
Description: Small, stocky shape and yellow bill are diagnostic. A unique, monotypic genus. Orange plumes on head, chest and back during breeding season (see photo, bird in background).
Voice: Usually silent, although croaks at nest.
Habits: Numerous locally in open country and on cultivated fields; does not visit mudflats and beaches. Associates with grazing domestic animals, catching the insects, frogs and lizards that the cattle disturb. Large flocks form at communal roosts in the evenings and at breeding sites. A successful and expanding species.
PACIFIC REEF-EGRET (Reef Egret)
Egretta sacra 58 cm F: Ardeidae
Description: Medium-sized egret with dull yellow bill; note dark tip on upper mandible (top). Northern birds often occur in a slate-black colour phase (bottom).
Voice: Sometimes a harsh arrk when disturbed.
Habits: A Strictly coastal egret that ventures only occasionally up tidal estuaries and canals. Prefers exposed sandy and rocky seacoasts; sometimes found on mudflats feeding on small fish in shallow waters during low tide, usually alone or in small groups. Nests on the ground on remote coastal outcrops.
CHINESE
